The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-03-31

| river 1 1eiL lndl every moment
slept was that much lost, and though
sleep was wooed by the gentle rocking
of the boat-a5 gentle as the cradle of
! infancy rocked by the hand Of mater
nal love-the beauty of the view from
my window, drew me with irresistible
force from the land of dreams many
times during the night, and l would
gaze out with feeling of quiet, happy
peacefulness upon the wonderful, grace
ful beauty, which declare the goodness
and power Of God.
We reached Sanford when the sun
had climbed but a short way upon his
accustomed course, and all was rejoiC-
ing in the pure, fresh sweetness of early
morning Boarding the train after
only a short delay, we sped onward
through a country made charming by
lovely orange groves, and beautiful sill
yer lakes, which abound on every side.
To me the beautiful, shapely orange
trees with their deep green foliage, and
burdens of fruit just changing from
green to golden, were particularly at
traCtive. After a few hours travel we
reached Tampa, thriving town on
Tampa Bay-here | tasted the fresh,
delicious oranges of the first ripening.
The waters of the Bay are not of
sufficient depth to allow large steamers
to approach the wharf; so we had to
take the transfer steamer for several
miles, where We were packed bag and
! baggage on board the "Whitney !"
bound for Key West.
These steamers also run to Havana,
which is only about ninety miles from
Key West. The voyage across the
Gulf was delightful, the water smooth
as glass Though it can be rough
enough sometimes and our gallant
ship sailed swiftly over the clear, deli
cately tinted waters, and the next af-
ternoon we weighed anchor at the
: Island City,
Little indeed is known of Key West
and only those who have visited it,
can give any idea of the place or peo-
pie. Having one of the most delight
| full winter climates in the world, it
seems strange indeed that it has not
long ago, become a favorite resort for
invalids and Northern pleasure seekers.
The lack Of frst-class accommoda-
tions, is one reason; and its inacCessi-
billty, and isolation another, | think,
why such is not the case. Upon land
ing on the Island, one is struck with
the absence of all attempts at display
in architecture, and have feeling of
disappointment, almost Of disgust, Ger
tainly of surprise, that such is true of
q place of fifteen thousand inhabitants,
and which has claims to some impor-
tance as a naval port and in several
no denying the fact, that there are no
buildings, either public or pivate in
Key West, of any architectural beauty
or pretensions. Strong and substan-
tial they are, built to withstand the
fierce gales, which have in times past,
visited them with serious results; but
with no grace and beauty to make
them pleasant for the eyes to rest upon
This fault, however, is atoned for in a
great degree, by the beautiful shrub
lery and blooming flowers, which
surround most homes in the city-and
there is always beauty where these are
found from the beginning to the end
of the year, with no fear of frost or
snow to blight them.
Key West has population made up
of many races; people noted for their
peculiar manners and customs, which,
may in some degree be accounted for
in the remoteness of the Island from
other parts of the world, and these
having no laws proceeding from the
oatside, and more progressive places,
are law unto themselves. The Cuban
race predominates here, and if those
who have read Of the handsome senors,
and lovely senoritas of this nation,
wish to be disenChanted, let them go
down there and stay awhile among
them-prematurely old, filthy, with
out shame or modesty, unscrupulous in
every respect; there is about them,
nothing to attract save the novelty
which never fails to interest in that to
which we are not accustomed. We, OF
course. speak of the majority; there are
exceptions as to all rules. The chief
industry of Key West, and one that
keeps it in constant communication
with American and foreign cities, is
cigar making from Havana tobacco
Cubans a1e employed mostly, and
command high wages. There is one
peculiar feature about these factories
which might be adopted in other cities
: with pleasure and profit to many who
. in no other way, can receive food fol
t the mind; they have regularly employ
ed q .'reader," who mounted upon an Ell
evated seat, in the centre of the build
ing, reads aloud the news of the da,
/ in Spanish, to the workmen.
, The Island itself is seven miles long
and two and half miles wide, and i
, built upon a foundation of coral
5 There are quarries from which whitisl
: stone is taken used for building pur
: poses; and when dressed and polished
] it can be constructed into substantial
.